 Except for previous Stevens winners, open
to all poets writing in English.

 The manuscript must be the original work by
a single author.

 Include title page (title only), table of
contents, and 48 to 70 pages of poetry, counting
any section title pages but not counting front matter. The page count includes
Notes on
Poems, if any.

 You may include previously published poems.
The winner will be required to provide an
acknowledgment page if the manuscript includes previously .published poems. Do
NOT
include acknowledgements in your manuscript.

 No author identification anywhere in
manuscript; no biographical information that could
disclose your identity; do not include your name as part of the name of the file
you attach
when submitting online.

 No illustrations.

 Number the pages in your manuscript

 Format with one poem, one column per page.
Poems may be continued on a second
page, but do not put two poems on the same page.

 Single space your manuscript. Use black
print only (no colors). Use 12-point type in a
conventional font such as Times New Roman. If you write in long lines or complex
formats, be aware that the winning book will be published in a 6" x 9" format.

 Simultaneous and multiple submissions
permitted. Notify us immediately if your
manuscript is accepted elsewhere.DEADLINE: Submissions will be accepted only between NOVEMBER 1and midnight PT,NOVEMBER 30, 2016. The Submittable online system will be accessible only during
this time,
and hard-copy submissions must be postmarked during this period. No early or
late
submissions.

ENTRY FEE & PAYMENTS:
The submission fee is $20 for NFSPS members, $25 for
nonmembers. Members of state poetry societies affiliated with NFSPS are members

 For online submissions, pay at
Submittable.com with a credit card or PayPal.

 For mailed paper submissions, place your
check, made out to NFSPS, on top of the
manuscript.

 Manuscripts which do not follow the rules
may be disqualified, but fees will not be
returned.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Note that there are
some differences in the guidelines for on-line
and hard copy submissions.

Online Submissions: We
strongly encourage using the NFSPS link at Submittable, an online
submissions manager, at https://nfsps.submittable.com/submit . or you may submit
by clicking the
image below). Using Submittable saves you and us time and money.

 Note that there are two submission windows.
If you are not a member of a state
society listed on the bottom of the page at http://nfsps.com/links.htm, you must
submit as
a non-member. Be sure your state society dues are paid up before submitting.

 Simply submit the manuscript in a single
document file from your computer into the
designated area.

 Submit as a Word or rich text document.

 Give your file name the same name as your
manuscript (or a shorter version of it). Do
not include your name, address, or any other information through which you might
be
identified in the document or file name.

 Do not submit an acknowledgements page. If
your manuscript wins, you will be asked to
submit it later.

 Do not include an information sheet as
requested for hard-copies as part of your
manuscript. Submittable will track the information needed separately, to protect
the
process of judging blindly.

 You will be notified that your manuscript
has been received.

 The Submittable account is free, simple to
set up, and instantly usable. If you currently
have a Submittable account, you may use it to enter the competition. If you do
not have
an account, use the online sign-up. An increasing number of journals and other
literary
venues accept submission only through Submittable. Mailed Submissions. If you
are
unable to make an online submission, mail your manuscript.
Mailed Submissions. If you are unable to make an online submission, mail your
manuscript.

 Manuscript must be typewritten or computer
generated.

 Enclose manuscript in a plain file folder
and/or held by a manuscript clip; NO staples or
binding.

 On the top of your manuscript, place a page
with the title and your name, address,
phone number, and email address, plus the name of the state poetry society where
you
are a member (if applicable). You will not be eligible for the reduced fee
without society
membership information.

 Do NOT send by certified or registered
mail. Do NOT send disks.

 Manuscripts will NOT be returned. Entrants
who enclose a business-size, self-addressed,
stamped envelope, or provide an email address, will be notified of the results
in March or April 2017.

JUDGING: All manuscripts will be reviewed for
compliance with guidelines and overall quality
by the competition chair. Approximately 100 manuscripts will be sent, without
identification or
acknowledgments, to an independent judge, who will remain anonymous until the
results are
announced.

PUBLICATION: The winning manuscript will be
published by the NFSPS Press, and the book
will be available for sale at the NFSPS annual convention and elsewhere in June
2016.